The possible stopping of Motorcycle Racing at Pukekohe

**Two Smoker** · 11th July 2006, 12:26

Hey everyone,

Heard that they might be stopping Motorcycle racing at Pukekohe... This is due to alot of recent crashes (not just motorcycle) including mine... But it is mainly because of the increase of Armco protection at the pit entry at turn 6 and 7 (where I had my crash)...

Personally I dont have a problem with this. I think Pukekohe is an extremely dangerous track for bikes... It looks like there might be a round at Taupo for the nationals after all...

**k14** · 11th July 2006, 12:30

Where did you get that info from?

I for one wouldn't be sad to see it go although I guess there would be some impact to NZ bike racing having the largest population base not having a local track to hit. Watch this space I guess. Bring on hampton downs.

**chickenfunkstar** · 11th July 2006, 12:51

Parts of the track are a bit dangerous but (in sort of a wierd way) thats what makes it more fun. Motorcycling is always going to have some kind of danger, I guess its just a case of how much danger you're willing to accept. The last corner before the front straight always gives me a really big buzz. Perhaps subconciously this is because I know that there is no room for error. I obviously don't want to come off there, but the possibility that I could seems to add to the exitement. Sounds a bit wierd I know, but I reckon that theres such a think as too safe.

**Two Smoker** · 11th July 2006, 12:57

Originally Posted by chickenfunkstar

Parts of the track are a bit dangerous but (in sort of a wierd way) thats what makes it more fun. Motorcycling is always going to have some kind of danger, I guess its just a case of how much danger you're willing to accept. The last corner before the front straight always gives me a really big buzz. Perhaps subconciously this is because I know that there is no room for error. I obviously don't want to come off there, but the possibility that I could seems to add to the exitement. Sounds a bit wierd I know, but I reckon that theres such a think as too safe.

Turn 1 (guy was paralysed there last year) Turn 6 (i was put in hospital for a couple of weeks) turn 7, and turn 8 (alot of people crash there resulting usually in lots of broken legs...) are extremely dangerous... This is because there is bugger all run off room with the armco right next to the track, the big bikes are doing over 200kmh around those corners you slide along way at 200kmh plus... The safer corners are the hairpin, as there is alot of run off room the same with turn 2 and 3...

**chickenfunkstar** · 11th July 2006, 13:12

I know the dangers are there, I accept them when I go there and don't have a problem with them. The small possibility of crashing seems to make it more exciting for me as a road rider who's there soley for enjoyment. I suspect that you and I would go to the track for completly different reasons. If my goal was to go as fast around the track as possible I don't think i'd like the situation either. I'd also suspect that i'd feel completly differently if I had actually crashed there as well.

**Quasievil** · 11th July 2006, 13:18

Good Riddens I say, hate that track its jus a bloody drag strip, after racing in Taupo, Puke stands out as the worst track in NZ, and coupled with the safety issue why go there?

**Two Smoker** · 11th July 2006, 13:20

Originally Posted by chickenfunkstar

I know the dangers are there, I accept them when I go there and don't have a problem with them. The small possibility of crashing seems to make it more exciting for me as a road rider who's there soley for enjoyment. I suspect that you and I would go to the track for completly different reasons. If my goal was to go as fast around the track as possible I don't think i'd like the situation either. I'd also suspect that i'd feel completly differently if I had actually crashed there as well.

Definately... As a road riders, most poeple wouldnt have a problem with the track, as they arent getting even close to the pace that the top racers are getting...

**Lou Girardin** · 11th July 2006, 14:02

I won't miss it. It has to be the worst track in this part of the world. Even worse now that drifters spread mud all over the track.

**trev** · 11th July 2006, 14:14

Fingers crossed for Hampton Downs hearing 26/7/06

from their site www.hamptondowns.com
NEWS
June 2006

Council have set the date for the Resource Managment hearing for the 26/7/06 . Support for the consent generated over 380 submissions with just 4 objections received. If resource consent is granted at the end June and none of the objectors appeal then work could begin as early as October 2006. The main objectors are Transit and the Corrections Dept. We are in discussion with both these departments and expect to reach aggreement with both departments prior to hearing.

**Drunken Monkey** · 11th July 2006, 14:41

Originally Posted by Quasievil

...why go there?

Because it's close. It takes less than 40 minutes to get there from the middle of town, which means
a) Don't need to make a decision to go if the weather is a bit iffy until the last moment
b) Even if you do go out there and change your mind - nothing lost/nothing gained
c) If your tired after a long day at the track, it's not too long a journey to make on your own

That's why. Fair enough about all these allegations of lack of safety/dangerous/boring/crap whatever, but it's close and its the only race track within a couple hours ride. A better track in the same place would be ideal.
Hampton Downs, if and when that is completed, would be fine with the Mercer/Longswamp extension almost completed it would be pretty easy to get to. Went from Mt Wellington to Meremere dragway in 38 minutes 2 weeks ago without speeding. However, until I've been invited down there for a ride, as far as I'm concerned its still a dreamer's option.

**sAsLEX** · 11th July 2006, 14:46

Originally Posted by trev

Support for the consent generated over 380 submissions with just 4 objections received.

this is good to see!!

**Quasievil** · 11th July 2006, 15:15

Originally Posted by Drunken Monkey

Because it's close. It takes less than 40 minutes to get there from the middle of town, which means
a) Don't need to make a decision to go if the weather is a bit iffy until the last moment
b) Even if you do go out there and change your mind - nothing lost/nothing gained
c) If your tired after a long day at the track, it's not too long a journey to make on your own

That's why. Fair enough about all these allegations of lack of safety/dangerous/boring/crap whatever, but it's close and its the only race track within a couple hours ride. A better track in the same place would be ideal.

Sound like a soft cock Allan me old mate, what happened to the lets go to Manfield on friday night.......where did that Allan go??

I hope that Hampton gets the go, will safe a long drive at the end of the day from Taupo, on occasion.
The ride/drive home after a days racing is a killer, be great not to have to do it.
lets see what happens

**Drunken Monkey** · 11th July 2006, 16:02

haha, it's easy when there's a group of you, you've planned ahead and its only a rare occurence.

I'm talking from a purely solo effort, on a regular (i.e. once or twice a month) perspective.

In all honesty, if there were less groups at Pukekohe so you got maybe 8 or 9 sessions in a day instead of 4, it would be theoretically possible for me to work half days only when it's nice, head down to Puke' after lunch, and still get my $90 worth on a Friday session. At the moment I'd be lucky to get more than 2 sessions if I tried that. Taupo is out completely for that. Hampton downs won't be ready until mid-2008 at the earliest now. If Puke' closed tomorrow, that would be a long time without regular track sessions...

**Kwaka-Kid** · 11th July 2006, 23:21

eh! If it does go ill miss it! On the little 400 i cant go fast enough to crash on turn 6 and i guess the only worrying one is coming over the hill, thats life i guess. But im a tight ass mofo and like any track, to be perfectly honest, i think, i have more chance of screwing myself up commuting to work on the bike across auckland for a year then i do for a seasons racing at pukekohe. And i enjoy them both. Just my weirdo opinion, and certainly not taking light off the fact that yes pukekohe is dangerous and could actually be made far less dangerous (dunno how much $ it would cost tho) alot less then the bullets it would take to kill the what seems like millions of completely oblivious drivers on our roads every morning.